The 10 Most Beautiful Churches in Jakarta

This church’s sophisticated wooden interior creates a solemn and relaxing ambiance for those who come to worship. A soft earthy palette is also reflected by the stone floor and exterior, together creating a local and natural feel. The façade takes the form of three concentric ovals adorned by long windows and framed by greeneries. Thoughtful and aesthetic design granted Stella Maris a number of architectural awards, including the honour of getting International Architecture Commendation from The Australian Institute of Architect for its graceful interior.

Like many colonial heritage structures in Indonesia, this church manifests a certain classy and nostalgic feel in its architecture. Started off as a small chapel in 1856, the church building has since undergone a number of rebuilding and revitalisations. Now, the whitewashed building has two main towers, with a rose window and other design elements typical of old European churches. Many of its interior components are remnants of history, including an 1855 bible in Dutch.

Unlike many Catholic church buildings, Regina Caeli wasn’t built like the centuries-old Gothic architecture. Instead, it assumes a rather modern, sleek façade that subtly resembles a ship. While the iconic exterior alone is enticing, the magnificent interior is also state of the art. Upon entering the building, you cannot not focus your attention on the elegant and dignified altar. Beyond the dimmed, solemn colours of wood and stones, this church was also built to blend with nature, incorporating large windows overlooking the lush mangrove forest just outside the compound.

This Catholic church is among the first in Indonesia to honour an Asian saint instead of one from Europe, and Kim Tae Gong Church cherishes its namesake martyr from Korea. The cultural stance governs some architectural aspects of the church, such as the patriarch’s statue wearing a traditional Korean hat and wood carvings depicting his life stories. Both the exterior and interior look cosmopolitan with some conventional church building elements like stained glass, a magnificent but solemn altar, and ornate, well-polished articles for rituals.

This lovely chapel is located in a memorial park built for war victims from the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army, which employed the local community as well as Dutch militaries. Aside from acknowledging deceased armies who may not be Christians, this chapel has extended its function as a general place of worship, welcoming people of every belief to pray and pay tribute. Although initially built with typical church features, the building also has a mosque-style dome and minaret that interestingly enough is adorned with religious symbols for Islam, Christian, Taoism, and Judaism. Having the vast memorial park as its yard, this church completes the compound with its own charm, with the eclectic design elements, immaculate white walls, and grand but welcoming character.

As the first church in Jakarta’s eastern area, this building has been granted cultural heritage status. Beyond its historical significance, Koinonia church boasts an effortlessly charming architecture that makes the building stand out among its neighbours. The corners of the building are braced by soaring towers, connected by gables that frame the main hall. Koinonia church stands proud at the end of the road where two main avenues meet, its beauty observable from almost all sides.

Located in Jakarta’s chinatown area, this church reflects a peculiar jumble between Chinese architecture and elements of the Catholic beliefs. From the vivid red and yellow hues to grand lion statues at the entrance, at first glance this church looks more like a Chinese temple or shrine. But the wood carvings and paintings of Jesus are unmistakable, albeit surrounded by ornate oriental knick-knacks. First established in the 1950s, this church is also an anointed cultural heritage.

This splendid white church building with its magnificent blue dome is an unmissable landmark in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. Hemmed by slender doric pillars, the front side is signified by a towering triangle structure representing the church’s symbol with a cross on top. The building has six storeys and in all its grandeur can contain 2,000 to 4,000 people on each level. The interior is also designed to accommodate a large congregation, with an amphitheatre seating arrangement orienting the glorious altar.

In addition to being a prominent place of worship, this church at the heart of Jakarta is also a historical landmark, having been built during the colonial era in 1834. Moreover, this Protestant church is an architectural feat with monumental pillars and exquisite Corinth-style carvings, a stunning circular layout covered with marble tiles. Inside the effortlessly elegant interior sits an antique pipe organ from 1843 that continues to be used for church services to this day.